Sir, - Your Editorial of May 10th correctly identified some of the culprits in the scandals which are destroying our faith in democracy - corrupt developers and corrupt politicians. However, you fail to mention those with prime responsibility - the electorate. Democracy's prime safeguard is the power of the electorate to dismiss those it disapproves of.
Not only have many individuals under suspicion received massive electorate mandates, but Fianna Fail - indisputably the builders' and developers' party - is still supported by a majority of the Irish electorate according to the latest opinion polls.
No excuse of ignorance on behalf of the electorate is credible. There is no doubt we get the politicians we deserve. Until the electorate stop colluding in corruption, no number of Irish Times Editorials will be effective in bringing about a decent, life-enhancing society in Ireland. Contrast the response of the Irish electorate with that in countries such as Canada, where a corrupt governing party was wiped out. Here, the majority apparently wishes to still vote for a version of the Celtic Tiger which intrinsically includes the morality of the jungle! - Yours, etc.,
Martin Roche, Castleknock Close, Laurel Lodge, Dublin 15.